Asparagus pea
Lotus tetragonolobus
Also called Winged pea and Square-podded pea
Garden plant · Herbs, veg & fruitNot a pea and not asparagus — a sprawling clover-leaved plant with dark red flowers and little square pods that have four frilled wings. Pick them at an inch long; at two inches they are string.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Every 3 daysWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Full sun
- Feed
- Not needed
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Half-hardy — a light frost RHS H3, to -5°C
- Size
- 0.3 m tall · 0.5 m across
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Origin
- The Mediterranean
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsNothing recorded against it
No animal-poison authority lists this plant either way.
PeopleNot checked yet
Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-21. Where a source says nothing, we say nothing.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.